Splash guard for a floor cleaning machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a splash guard that partially encircles a rotary floor cleaning apparatus allowing for support wheels to maneuver the apparatus when the rotary brushes are not in operation. The splash guard prevents cleansing material or debris from being splattered onto walls and other surfaces adjacent to the surface being cleaned.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a guard for a floor cleaning or buffing machine and more particularly to a splash guard that at least partially encompasses a the scrubber pad of a rotary floor cleaning apparatus so as to prevent cleansing material or debris from being splattered onto walls and other surfaces adjacent to the surface being cleaned.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Floor cleaning machines typically comprise a frame supporting a single or a number of motor-driven rotary pads or brushes, a motor, and a handle pivotally mounted to the frame. Because floor cleaning machines are quite heavy there are generally two support wheels attached to the back of machine that allow the machine to be tilted back onto the wheels and then more efficiently and easily moved when the machine is not undertaking a floor cleaning operation. When the device is in operation, it is set in an upright position and supported on the floor by the rotary pad or brush(es).[00...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The object of the present invention is to provide an improved splash guard designed to prevent cleaning substances such as wax, liquid cleanser, debris and the like from being spattered and sprayed form from the pad or brush(es) of a floor cleaning machine so as to prevent furniture, walls and other items from being stained while also significantly improving the efficiency of the floor cleansing process.

[0007]Another object of the invention is to reduce the amount of cleansing fluids used as the fluids are contained by the splash guard.

[0010]A still further object of the invention is for the tubular bumper that forms the ring to have a quick connection point where one end of the tubular bumper has an extender which is of a smaller diameter than the tubular bumper. This extender may be inserted into the other end of the tubular bumper and be frictionally fit to form a ring. A flexible sleeve or temporary adhesive may surround the connector to further lock the ring connection in place. The connection point may also take other forms such as protrusions on one end of the connector that insert into holes on the other end of the tubular bumper. A set of protrusions and holes or an extender that locks at various positions would provide for the diameter of the ring to be adjustable and able to accommodate different machines. Any connection strategy that is used would provide for easy separation of two tubular ends in order to quickly remove the scrub guard from the machine when not in use.

[0011]The lower tubular bumper of the splash guard forms a ring that contacts the floor around the scrubbing machine as the pad or brush(es) of the machine move in rotary motion. The housing and upper tubular bumper tightly circumferentially surround the base of the machine with minimal clearance of approximately 1″ between the scrubbing machine body and the guard housing. This provides for sufficient maneuverability of the machine with the guard in place relative to walls and furniture as the machine moves in the rotary motion of the brushes. This minimal clearance enables the user to still cover most all surfaces without leaving any portions of the floor uncleaned for example next to walls, and around furniture or fixtures.

[0012]The lower tubular ring of the splash guard slides with minimal friction along the floor when the machine is in operation and so helps to prevent power cords from being pulled under the machine or tipping up of the guard when contact is made with a wall or surface due to the snugness of the housing around the machine body. The contact with the floor also prevents any splatter from escaping from the base of the scrubbing machine. The upper tubular bumper provides rigidity to the housing and protects wall surfaces and furniture from both splatter and gouging as the scrubbing machine comes in close contact with these surfaces. The upper tubular bumper may also have bumper caps to prevent any sharp edges of the bumper from doing damage.

[0013]The housing is of a pliable material such as plastic, polyethylene, or other polymer material that rigidly and flexibly surrounds a portion of the machine body. The thickness is approximately ⅛″ and the dimensional height is between 3 and 6 inches to approximately match the height of standard baseboard used in commercial construction. The housing's elongated length is sufficient to surround a scrubbing machine body but leave a large enough gap to not interfere with support wheels of the machine. A distance of 1″ to 2″ inches between the edge of the elongated housing and the support wheels is left so that the machine when it is not in operation can be easily pulled back to rest on the support wheels without interference from the housing or upper tubular bumper of the splash guard. In this way a splattered, wet splash guard does not need to be removed from the machine and then reattached when the scrubbing machine is simply maneuvered over a doorway threshold to move the machine from one room to another to continue a scrubbing and cleaning operation in adjacent or near adjacent rooms.

Problems solved by technology

This is particularly undesirable as the splattered area or objects then need to be re-cleaned, resulting in time consuming additional work for the cleaning personnel.

In addition, the splattered material can stain or otherwise permanently damage baseboards, furniture and the like.

Floor cleaning machines may also be hazardous to the operator because the rotary cleaning pads or brushes can entangle the machine's power cord.

In the presence of cleaning solution contact with the power cord may result in electric shock to the worker.

The limitation of these and many other prior scrubber guards in weight, maneuverability and complexity require that improvements that overcome these difficulties be made.

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